Episode 3: Bird Dogs in Vietnam (Part 2)

A Cessna (Bird Dog) in flight. By U.S. Army [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes, the most difficult part of the war is coming home.

In this episode, I finish my conversation with Mike, a Vietnam veteran. We’re going to start by hearing some more about Mike’s deployment to include his memories of serving as an observer on a Cessna, often referred to as a Bird Dog. Afterwards, Mike recalls how difficult it was returning home and reintegrating into American society.

Mike gives us a window into what was a difficult time for service members. Returning to America after tough deployments, many veterans encountered cool receptions and were asked to deal with their experiences in private. With the support our military receives today, it’s sometimes hard to grasp just how hostile some people were to those who served in Vietnam. Hearing Mike’s story reminded me how much has changed. It also made me wonder how many Veterans have yet to share their stories.